Senior Thin-Film Materials Engineer – High-Impact Solar Cells

Spacex; Bastrop (TX); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX seeks a Sr. Materials Engineer specializing in thin films to advance PECVD processes for Starlink solar cells. You will drive material requirements, evaluate film properties, and partner with process and production teams to improve efficiency and yield.

You will mentor engineers, lead cross-functional projects, and apply first-principles thinking to tough materials challenges, all while ensuring safety and quality on the factory floor.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree as stated in BASIC QUALIFICATIONS.
• 5+ years of professional experience with thin films or vacuum-deposited coatings.

Responsibilities

• Partner with solar cell process engineering on PECVD thin films to develop material requirements.
• Translate film-property targets into actionable process improvements.
• Independently apply advanced materials concepts to complex issues.
• Lead multiple materials projects in parallel with limited guidance.
• Define material requirements, specs, and acceptance criteria for production.
• Mentor engineers and interns on thin-film materials and first-principles problem solving.
• Coordinate with suppliers to ensure long-term scalability.
• Champion safety and quality across vacuum, plasma, and chemical handling.

Skills

Thin films

PECVD

Materials science

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Autonomous work

Education

Bachelor's degree in materials science, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, physics, or a STEM discipline

Tools

Ellipsometry

FTIR

SEM-EDS

XPS

Four-point probe

Spectroscopic analysis

Job description

SpaceX seeks a Sr. Materials Engineer specializing in thin films to advance PECVD processes for Starlink solar cells. You will drive material requirements, evaluate film properties, and partner with process and production teams to improve efficiency and yield.

You will mentor engineers, lead cross-functional projects, and apply first-principles thinking to tough materials challenges, all while ensuring safety and quality on the factory floor.